Does Hamlet Love Ophelia?

Summary: Although Hamlet denies his love for Ophelia in Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," it is possible to realize that he never stopped loving her. In his ploy to make those around him believe that he was mad, Hamlet sacrificed his love for Ophelia, hurting her when he did not want to hurt her. Hamlet's true feelings are revealed through his letters and his argument with Laertes after Ophelia's death.

The word love is a powerful one, both in real life, and in Shakespeare's play Hamlet. It is often a confusing concept, made even harder to grasp when one of the lovers repeatedly changes his/her mind. In Hamlet's case, his feelings towards Ophelia veer from love, to never loved, to always love. This cycle of emotions is due to Hamlet feigning madness. The time period in which Hamlet claimed to Ophelia that he never loved her, was that in which his rage at his uncle was constantly increasing. Although Hamlet denies his love for Ophelia, it is possible to realize that he never stopped loving her.

Hamlet's love for Ophelia is first introduced to the reader by Ophelia herself: "He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders of his affection to me."(pg. 43 line 100) Hamlet has corresponded with Ophelia and demonstrated the love he feels for...